Billionaire Andrej Babis' party wins Czech elections
Andrej Babis's populist ANO party won Czech parliamentary elections but lacks a majority. He must negotiate alliances to form a government.
Andrej Babis wins Czech elections
ANO party receives nearly 35% votes
Next, Babis will seek coalition partners
Coalition needed for majority government
Relations with potential partners may be tense
Babis rules out EU membership referendum
Former prime minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement topped the 3–4 October parliamentary vote with 34.5 percent, securing 80 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies. ANO remains 21 seats short of a majority and must form alliances to govern.[1]
Election Results and Party Breakdown
Preliminary official results report:
ANO: 34.5 percent, 80 seats (up from 72 in 2021).[1]
Spolu (centre-right coalition): 22.0 percent, 50 seats.
Pirates and Mayors (liberal alliance): 12.0 percent, 28 seats.
Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD): 7.8 percent, 15 seats.
Motorists for Themselves (Motoristé sobě): 6.8 percent, 13 seats.[1]
Coalition Prospects
President Petr Pavel is expected to formally invite Babiš to discuss government formation this week. To reach the 101-seat majority, ANO needs support from both SPD and Motorists. Babiš prefers a minority ANO cabinet backed by confidence votes rather than a full coalition agreement.
Policy Alignments and Divergences
ANO and Motorists share opposition to the EU’s 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles and resist higher energy costs for households. SPD’s collaboration with fringe far-right groups complicates predictability, and Babiš has ruled out any referendum on EU or NATO membership, contrary to SPD’s platform.
Czech Military Aid to Ukraine
Since early 2024, the Czech Artillery Initiative has delivered roughly 3.5 million large-calibre shells to Ukraine. Babiš described the scheme as lacking oversight and pledged to transfer procurement responsibilities to NATO structures. He has not proposed ending Czech support but seeks more direct state control over deliveries.[2][3]
Campaign Rhetoric and Alliance with Europe
Babiš criticized the outgoing government for prioritizing foreign aid over domestic welfare, though no direct slogan has been verified. He assured EU and NATO partners of ANO’s commitment to Western alliances, citing his government’s cooperation during 2017–2021 as evidence of reliability.[4]
Next Steps
Babiš must present a governing proposal to the president and secure a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies. Talks with SPD and Motorists are set to begin immediately, with deadlines governed by constitutional timelines for forming a government.
Emily Johnson is a senior journalist and political analyst with nearly a decade of experience in political journalism, international affairs, policy analysis, and investigative reporting.
She holds a B.A. in Journalism & Political Communication from Georgetown University (2015), where she built a strong foundation in international relations, media ethics, and data-driven reporting.
Emily began her career as a staff writer for Reuters before joining Politico Europe, where she became known for her evidence-based and policy-focused coverage of global political developments, leadership transitions, and international diplomacy.
Currently based in Berlin, Germany, she contributes to Faharas NET, focusing on global politics, European policy, and cross-border investigations. Her writing blends rigorous fact-checking, accessible analysis, and deep geopolitical insight, earning her a reputation for credibility and balance in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
BBC News is the operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) responsible for news and current affairs in the UK and around the world.
It is one of the world largest broadcast news organizations, producing 120 hours of content daily across television, radio, and online platforms, reaching millions of people globally.
Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting.
She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.
Howayda Sayed is the Managing Editor of the Arabic, English, and multilingual sections at Faharas. She leads editorial supervision, review, and quality assurance, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and adherence to translation and editorial standards. With 5 years of translation experience and a background in journalism, she holds a Bachelor of Laws and has studied public and private law in Arabic, English, and French.
